The Police Special Task Force will be vigilant in its efforts to combat illegal sand mining activities in the area.

Officers attached to the Mahaoya Camp of the Police Special Task Force (STF)

arrested a 24-year-old suspect who was illegally loading sand into a tipper truck without a valid permit during a raid carried out on the morning of 26.01.2026 in the Karadaha area of the Mahaoya Police Division.

Later the same night, another suspect aged 41 was apprehended in the Kolayaya area of Ikiriyagoda, Mahiyangana, while unlawfully loading sand into a tipper truck without the required authorization. The suspect, a resident of the Mapakada area, has been produced before the Mahiyangana Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, officers from the Ampara Camp of the Police Special Task Force arrested a 40-year-old individual who was illegally loading sand into a tractor-trailer without a permit during a raid conducted that evening in the Adaloya area of the Uhana Police Division. The suspect is a resident of the Weranketagoda area in Uhana.